This team is obviously incomplete without a 1 LW. No doubt about that. I have no idea how the Hawks can fill that need with what little cap room they have. It's pretty much impossible and I don't think TVR + gets you that player right now.

I think the only way we get to WCF is if we play incredible hockey as a team through out the playoffs and the injury bug stays away. My .02
- Lido_Shuffle

Every team has a hole, for a long time Chicago's was the 2nd line centre role. While's it's very true that Saad's departure and the inability to fill his void has a massive impact on the team let's not ignore the fact that the 2C void was filled with Anisimov. We always had a need in the top 6, last season it just switched from 2C to 1LW.

I don't think Stan has the assets to acquire a legit #1 LW. I don't foresee this being a busy TDL either, Stan will want to hold on to all the draft picks this season after trading away so many picks in the past couple years. One way or another Stan will have to take a chance on somebody to fill the LW void, either one of the rookies or a low-key trade.

Who knows, but that is STILL not comparable to a TDL, unless that KHL player was proven goods on NA ice. I know many think the KHL/Russia is the way to go because the last guy we got from there was awesome, but I still remember the previous 20 who sucked.
- kwolf68

Right, but as you pointed out, the cupboard is somewhat bare for the TDL and adding a KHL guy pre-TDL in Dec would allow them time to see what he can do on NA ice with familiar faces and at no cost of prospects/picks going the other way.

Another thing that will help 5v5....find a way to improve the D of the PAK line or change the lines. I know a lot of people like to consider that line as something special, but let's face some facts. They were great offensively, but not that good defensively.

1) Who led the Hawks forwards in most goals against while they were on the ice 5v5......Kane (53), Panarin (51), AA (45) (in that order). So when you consider goals for vs goals against....at even strength.

Kane + 14
Panarin +3
AA + 1
Toews - Even
Hossa +2
Shaw + 12
TT -3
Rasmussen + 10
Kruger - 7
Mashinter - 6
Desjardins - 12
Panik +5

Now, consider which players had the roles of shutting down the other teams offensive players. Toews, Kruger, Hossa, Desjardins, Shaw.....meanwhile Kane/Panarin/AA got a huge edge if offensive zone starts...

Or you can take a look at http://leftwinglock.com/line-production/.

They have some metrics on how individual lines produced. Out of the top lines listed for scoring....PAK line is pretty much the worst at allowing goals against....

The Hawks need to balance out the lineup.

Blackhawks announce 2016 Rookie Tournament roster

http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=891963&navid=DL|CHI|home

TVR, prospect and a 2nd for Tatar? Red wings need a RHD. We need a 1LW.


Bored... One of those days and playing armchair GM

TVR, prospect and a 2nd for Tatar? Red wings need a RHD. We need a 1LW.


Bored... One of those days and playing armchair GM
- 93Joe

Isn't Tatar a RW? What about TVR for Athanasiou if you want to deal with Det.

Edit - the website is was looking at might have positions listed incorrectly. Never mind.

Isn't Tatar a RW? What about TVR for Athanasiou if you want to deal with Det.
- powerenforcer

you would have to add A LOT to get AA

TVR, prospect and a 2nd for Tatar? Red wings need a RHD. We need a 1LW.


Bored... One of those days and playing armchair GM
- 93Joe

Panarin as of now is the #1 LW. So either say the AA line is now the #1 line or??

72 19 81 or 14 19 88...

Q is gonna have to juggle the Kane line a bit to spread the wealth. Going with:

14 19 88
72 15 81 really provides two very dangerous lines. Kane will still produce very good numbers as 19 and 15 are both go to the net types. Also each line has a big winger (81/14) to go the wall and fight for the puck. The third line will be 16 and ??. Still not all that bad. Its the fourth line that Q has to deal with and its all in his head. He doesnt have the line up anymore to run his style 4 lines deep. Fine. Build the pitbull line and cut them loose. How bout Lundberg, Moose and Tootoo.

Thats a line that could give the Blues some pause. Q just simply needs to adapt. If the Pens can win a Cup with the bottom 6 they had, so can we. And to be clear, I am not saying Panik is all that, but his size, speed and will to engage make him the best option at the moment. Maybe some rookie comes out of nowhere to play a top 6 LW spot..

TVR, prospect and a 2nd for Tatar? Red wings need a RHD. We need a 1LW.


Bored... One of those days and playing armchair GM
- 93Joe

No way. Tatar needs a new contract after this year and we would lose him next year as he would be priced out of our cap structure. Likely getting $4.5+ per

you would have to add A LOT to get AA
- hawkeytalkman

Don't you think it would cost more to get Tatar vs. AA?

1) Who led the Hawks forwards in most goals against while they were on the ice 5v5......Kane (53), Panarin (51), AA (45) (in that order). So when you consider goals for vs goals against....at even strength.

The Hawks need to balance out the lineup.
- breadbag

Seeing this, it becomes more reasonable to think Panarin should be on 1LW with Toews and Hossa, or move Kane to 1RW and Hossa to 2RW. Panarin and Kane can generate points with whomever you put beside them. Kane more so, which makes the Panarin up to 1LW a better option. AA, Kane, and whoever would be a better option, to me, than Toews, Hossa, and whoever.

Barring a trade for a top 6 LW. I really think you need to break up Kane and Panarin. Kane with either Anisimov or Toews can carry a lesser LW wing. Hossa, god love him, can't really elevate another player's offensive game anymore. You need a bonafide top 6 LW with him.

I mean Kane made the Richard Versteeg combo deadly for a large chunk of '15. Can Schmaltz bring a Versteeg like game? With maybe a bit less stupid?

Personally, I want to see. Panarin Toews Hossa, X Anisimov Kane.

Anyone have a Sharp lite laying around they could loan the Hawks for cheap?

Isn't Tatar a RW? What about TVR for Athanasiou if you want to deal with Det.

Edit - the website is was looking at might have positions listed incorrectly. Never mind.
- powerenforcer

If that's not a red liner then you need to get real. Take a lot more to get that guy.

Seeing this, it becomes more reasonable to think Panarin should be on 1LW with Toews and Hossa, or move Kane to 1RW and Hossa to 2RW. Panarin and Kane can generate points with whomever you put beside them. Kane more so, which makes the Panarin up to 1LW a better option. AA, Kane, and whoever would be a better option, to me, than Toews, Hossa, and whoever.
- JRoenick97

Looks like you beat me to it!!! Agree 100%

Mark Lazerus ‏@MarkLazerus 8m8 minutes ago
#Blackhawks World Cup jersey numbers:
Toews 16
Crawford 50
Kempny 6
Hossa 81
Pokka 22
Panarin 27
Anisimov 42
Hjalmarsson 4
Kruger 16
Kane 88

Blackhawks announce 2016 Rookie Tournament roster

http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=891963&navid=DL|CHI|home
- DarthKane

Thanks for posting the roster!

Noticed that 2 roster invites for the tournament are Ivan Nikolishin and Hayden Verbeek. Are they the sons or nephews of former NHLers Andrei Nikolishin and Pat Verbeek?

Don't you think it would cost more to get Tatar vs. AA?
- powerenforcer

I think Tatar would cost a greater volume of assets/picks, but I think AA would cost a more high end asset/overpay to pry him out of there.

So to be clear, I think you would need to throw something like TVR, a good pick, and maybe a decent prospect to get Tatar, maybe a little more

I think AA would require something like Schmaltz+ to get him (our top prospect) because for someone as young and cost controlled as AA, they wouldnt be interested in picks and older players

Thanks for posting the roster!

Noticed that 2 roster invites for the tournament are Ivan Nikolishin and Hayden Verbeek. Are they the sons or nephews of former NHLers Andrei Nikolishin and Pat Verbeek?
- AEL_Fox

Ivan is the son of Andrei and Hayden is the nephew of Pat.

I think Tatar would cost a greater volume of assets/picks, but I think AA would cost a more high end asset/overpay to pry him out of there.

So to be clear, I think you would need to throw something like TVR, a good pick, and maybe a decent prospect to get Tatar, maybe a little more

I think AA would require something like Schmaltz+ to get him (our top prospect) because for someone as young and cost controlled as AA, they wouldnt be interested in picks and older players
- hawkeytalkman

I still think Winnipeg could be a good trading partner for a young forward. The Jets have an abundance of forward prospects but their pool of D prospects is thin in comparison.

I still think Winnipeg could be a good trading partner for a young forward. The Jets have an abundance of forward prospects but their pool of D prospects is thin in comparison.
- DarthKane

I agree with you that a guy like TVR might need to be moved to bring back another winger. Then we have the growing pains of working Pokka, Sveds or others into the rotation. But what do you do?

I agree with you that a guy like TVR might need to be moved to bring back another winger. Then we have the growing pains of working Pokka, Sveds or others into the rotation. But what do you do?
- z1990z

If we trade TVR, Pokka almost surely gets picked in the expansion draft.

If we trade TVR, Pokka almost surely gets picked in the expansion draft.
- JRoenick97

Isnt TVR in the same situation? We risk losing him as well.

Isnt TVR in the same situation? We risk losing him as well.
- z1990z

Yes, but my point is we'd lose both if one is traded

I agree with you that a guy like TVR might need to be moved to bring back another winger. Then we have the growing pains of working Pokka, Sveds or others into the rotation. But what do you do?
- z1990z

I'm still not in favour of trading TvR, at least not until we see what Kempny can bring at the NHL level.

As much as I am not a big fan, could Gustafsson be a solid replacement for TvR? At least for next season we're just talking about 3rd pairing minutes. If you look at all the advanced stats Gus seems to be amongst the leader on the team (for the D).

Yes, but my point is we'd lose both if one is traded
- JRoenick97

Then its possible this could be a long year of growing pains working new guys into the lineup. I dont think it has to be, but Q has to be smart and adjust to the new roster.